MM3 -CH3- (Patreon)

We made a mistake. We fled far too quickly.

It’s not as if we would know better.

Chewing at the inside of his cheek Rene continued to walk onward through the grass. Distantly ahead of them, he could see what looked like a walled city.

They were heading towards the capital of Maluun. A place called Naes that was where the lord of the land resided. Somewhere that Sally recently shouldn’t be going at all, but that they had to go to.

The city was the only place Sally had been in her life, other than the village she’d been born into and raised. To her, the world didn’t exist beyond those two places.

Every land, place, city, or village she’d heard of, might as well have been a fantasy story.

Marching onward at his side the girl said nothing.

She made no complaints, didn’t whine, and did all that she could to keep pace with him.

Glancing down at her he found that she had a determined though pained look on her face. Her lips were compressed and her brow was drawn down.

To be fair, she just lost her parents and was… well, abdudcted… by a man she doesn’t know.

Don’t forget the part where she has no shoes, hasn’t eaten or drank anything in a day, and is wearing little better than sleepwear.

I… yeah, all that, too.

It’s as bad as Lori.

Worse, I’d say. Lori has us and others. We knew her before it happened.

This poor girl… has no one that we know of. Nowhere to go or return to.

“We’ll get you some shoes. Clothes. Food, too,” Rene said as they continued to walk.

“I don’t have any money,” apologized Sally.

“That’s alright. We’ll figure out something one way or the other,” replied Rene easily. He wasn’t above stealing what they needed. In fact, it would probably be better to have Sally wait for him outside the city.

Glancing around himself he found a small bit of shrubbery not too far away. It wasn’t overly large but it would be more than enough to hide one scrawny girl away in.

“Go ahead and hide in that bit of greenery there,” Rene said pointing at it. “I’ll get everywhere we need and come back. Alright?”

“Okay. You’ll… come back, right Rene? You won’t leave me?” asked Sally, looking to him with rather wide eyes.

“I will come back. I won’t leave you. And when I come back, it’ll be with everything we need,” promised Rene. He couldn’t look at her without feeling a deep sense of responsibility. “Though it might be long past nightfall and you asleep when I return. But I will return.”

Despite having no relation to her, he couldn’t help but see her in a similar way that he did Lori. Even if Sally was older than then her. He wasn’t about to let anything happen to Sally if he could help it.

***

Reaching the city wall in the dark, Rene dug his fingers into the stones. He was excited to see if he could get a skill-up from this.

Climbing anything anymore was a fun exercise to him now. Regardless of the height or type of wall. A pleasant excursion that let him “work the kinks out”.

Pulling, Rene started to climb.

Propelling himself upward faster than he could honestly believe. His fingers scrabbling for purchases that likely shouldn’t exist. The boots of his combat boots finding any and every ledge possible.

In the span of seconds he hit the top of the wall and stood atop it. Gazing down at the interior of the walled city. The whole of it laid out before him without anyone the wiser.

Or likely anyone who could stop him.

Its like a playground to delve into for us.

Yes, given such lovely weapons is also a plus.

Smiling, Rene walked up to the edge of the wall. Looking down he found a stone wrought thing that looked more like a guard house.

Nodding his head, he walked backward a few steps, then went forward at a run.

Reaching the edge quickly of the wall, Rene dove off.

Whipping past him the wind felt like something trying to stop him as he fell. Cutting through it like a knife passing through warmed butter.

Hitting the stones with a crack of his heels Rene rolled forward. Coming up in a crouch he got into a run and sprinted away.

Running along the edge of the house he jumped when he got to the corner. Clearing the small street beneath him he landed on a wooden rooftop. Hitting it and running in the same in the motion he kept going.

From rooftop to rooftop Rene leapt, ran, skipped, bounced, and slid his way to the heart of the city. Moving ever closer toward the small castle like building at the center.

When he finally reached it, he began climbing once again. Straight up the sheer and smooth rock-wall face.

It’s like something out of a silly story about assassins.

Isn’t it though? Except we’re the silly story.

Clambering up to the top of the wall that surrounded the castle, Rene paused.

This was nothing like the castle of the city-regent. Everything was far cruder.

From the mortar to the stones, it was all clearly a step down in technology and precision comparatively. Either through a slide in finances or that they simply weren’t at the same level as his current home.

Turning his head he looked toward a soldier who was peering down at the ground in front of his position.

Wearing similar armor to those he’d killed previously, though slightly more with what looked like banded strips of metal across it, Rene found them lacking.

Very backwater.

This is a land that could be ruled by a warlord with a strong sword-arm and some decent armor.

Providing there is no equivalent ranged component, like a crossbow, then yes.

Facing the castle Rene stepped off the edge of the wall and fell.

Hitting the grass with little more than a soft thud he got moving swiftly.

Ghosting across the grass Rene moved in a low crouch. Keeping himself completely hidden away from prying eyes. Smirking, and feeling rather cheeky, Rene decided to try the front door.

Moving past a soldier Rene casually lifted the man’s dagger from the sheath at his side. Taking it with him as he casually meandered toward the large wooden gate that acted as a front door.

Walking right up to it Rene lifted the dagger and slammed the butt of it into the wood several times. It was a rather loud knocking boom that no-one could miss.

“What?” called a shocked voice on the other side of the door.

Additionally, two people who were in the grass nearby looked toward the gate as well.

Grinning, Rene shuffled to one side and prepared himself.

With any luck they’d open the gate and he could slip in without an issue.

Standing there, waiting, Rene watched the two soldiers heading his way. The one on the other side of the gate continued to call challenges, wondering what the hell was going on.

“What are you shouting at?” yelled one of the two guards coming from the grass.

“Huh… Herbert? What are you doing?” asked the soldier inside the castle.

“I’m asking you why you’re shouting, you fuckin’ tit-brained idiot!” shouted the man who was apparently named Herbert.

“What?” shouted back the door guard.

It’s like something out of a bad comedy skit.

Isn’t it though? It’s hard not to have a laughing fit.

“Oi, open the door you daft piss-drinking turd!” screamed the second soldier who came to investigate the door.

There was a creak, followed by a grinding noise. Then a boom as something was dropped to the ground.

Slowly, the gate began to creep open.

“What? What the fuck you two doin’? Why you banging on the door and yellin’?” asked the man who was pushing the gate open.

“What’re we doing? You’re the one yelling you idiot! You banged on the door and then start screechin’ like your woman’s fuckin’ a donkey,” Herbert declared.

Waiting only a second to make sure the gap was clear, Rene slid in through the open gate and entered the castle proper. Putting his senses to use he ignored the three men as they continued to argue and began working to find his target.

He wanted to meet the king of this shit-hole and ask him some questions. If anyone could tell him which way was the right way to go, it’d be them. They’d be the one most likely to have high quality maps that’d tell Rene which way to go as well.

And… well… maybe we’ll rob him. While we’re here.

I… really like that idea. Let’s give it all to Sally, that dear.

Exactly the plan.

Turning his head and staring up at the ceiling above him. He wasn’t sure yet, but Rene was feeling rather confident that this toad of a leader would be somewhere on the second floor or higher. Certainly not on the ground floor.

Walking down the hall he kept pushing out with his senses.

Wandering through the castle Rene came to a stop in the throne room.

It was a large and gaudy thing.

Either the whole thing was made out of gold or it was gold leafed from foot to head. On top of that, it was encrusted with more gems and jewels than he had ever seen. Let alone in one place.

Break the arm off it. See if it’s gold.

If it is, let’s steal it all.

Raising his eyebrows at the idea Rene immediately agreed.

Or at least, agreed in part.

Walking up to the throne, he laid his hand to it and then tried to push it.

Except rather than push it over, or onto it’s side, his goal was something else. To push the whole throne straight into his inventory. To keep it from the bottom to the top and leave nothing behind.

Worst, it’d be fake. In that case he could get rid of it later with no loss and be out nothing.

Best case, it was a golden throne with far too many precious gems attached to it. Ripping most of those sparkling rocks from it would be more than enough to give Sally a future she could never look down on.

Groaning, Rene found the throne immovable. It was extremely heavy, even for him and his altered strength.

Then miraculously, the throne simply vanished, disappearing into the inventory window Rene had called up behind it. A new icon appearing in it that looked like a miniature golden throne.

Delightful. A chair for Sally.

A perfect seat to give her in the finale.

Looking to the spot the throne had been, Rene called up his ability to track.

He was looking for anyone with an over-stuffed title.

Lord, Lady, Highness, Majesty, anything will do. So lets-

A name floated up to the top of his list that made Rene snort in amusement.

His lord majesty Michael Quinn.

Let’s go visit her ladyship Matthew Quane.

Keeping his eyes on the trail for the person in question Rene began to chase it down. Leaving the throne room and heading up the stairs that were behind it.

Michelle Quann, where are you?

Up the stairs, through a hallway, and to a doorway that had six guards in front of it. They were all wearing what looked like to be something of a cross between leather armor and heavily banded armor.

The weapons they held and what they had at their hips were all quite new looking and clean as well. This was clearly meant to be an prestigious guard as well as what Rene assumed was an elite one.

Lit up in front of that door were the bootprints of the majestic personage he was chasing after.

Probably has a window in their bedroom. We’ll take it from that route.

A better idea than trying to force our way in like a brute.

Turning around Rene headed backward until he found a shuttered window. He hadn’t gone that far so he was fairly certain he could double back on the outside.

Pushing the shutters open Rene clambered out into the dark night. His fingers caught easily to the stone and his boots found minuscule footholds that shouldn’t exist.

Hand over hand he began making his way sideways across the outside of the castle. In seconds he found exactly what he was looking for. Another shuttered window.

Opening it with one hand Rene then slipped inside the room.

A massive bed was to one side and a lone man slept within it.

The trail of bootprints was once more visible, leading into the room from a door that was on the far side of the room.

Pulling out his knife Rene went right up to the king.

Quietly, without even a whisper of noise, the bare naked blade was laid his majesties throat.

“Wake up,” Rene commanded.

The flat brown eyes of Michael Quinn shot open, his wispy brown hair laying about his head in a strange bush like style.

“Good evening your highness,” whispered Renew ith a smile. “I need your maps, information, and whatever gold or jewelry you keep on hand in your bedroom.

“Should you make a noise, I’ll kill you, then deal with your guards. Answer me honestly and quickly, and you might just make it out alive.”

“Yes, I understand,” said the man in a whimper.

“Lead on then,” Rene commanded, lifting the blade. Drawing his pistol out he pointed it at the king. The man in the bed stared at the weapon not really understanding what it was. “It’s a lot like a bow and arrow. Trust me. You’ll die very quickly and painfully if you do something stupid.”

Getting himself out of his sheets the king tottered briefly and then started walking to a door set to the side. Opening it quickly he went inside.

“My lord?” asked a female voice.

“Your majesty?” asked a second, though younger voice.

Following the king into the room, Rene found that there were several women who were chained to the ground. They were clean, had beds, and looked to be quite attractive.

Forced bedwarmers? Unsurprising. The man is a-

Rene’s eyes stopped as they landed on a fourth captive in the corner.

It was a young girl probably no older than Sally. She had a very visible black eye and a split lip.

A dark and ugly shadow rose up quickly from inside Rene. One that demanded a price to be paid but couldn’t enforce that screaming request.

It wouldn’t have to try hard though. Rene had already decided.

Take the treasures, free the women, kill the king.

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Be sure to take that lovely gold ring.

We’ll kill the guards on the way out so that the women can escape without duress.

And more than enough loot to give them a new life, I would guess.

***

Dropping down from the city wall Rene landed in the grassy field and started heading back toward Sally.

He’d taken more than enough treasures to burden Sally down to the point that she might die under the weight of it all.

It could have been more, but he’d forced a number of valuables on the captive women that they could carry, hide, and escape with. To build themselves up again despite what had been done to them.

I’m going to have to pull you out.

The message popped up in a window in front of Rene.

“What? No! Not now. I have to get to Sally first,” growled Rene.

A second message appeared in front of him.

There’s almost no time at all.

“You’ll make the time. I’m not leaving without giving her the means to actually survive. Do you think for a minute she’ll survive out here on her own?” demanded Rene. “You’ll do this Watcher, because doing anything else would condemn her to death.”

A soldier found her. He’ll take care of her. We need to go.

I guarantee she’ll come to no harm anytime in the near future, or middle future.

“I don’t care. Fine, the soldier can help her. But I still need to get them some of this wealth. I swear if you try to pull me out now I’ll never work for you again,” threatened Rene after reading the third message.

Nothing happened and Rene set off at a dead-sprint. Trying to close the distance on Sally as quickly as possible.

He promised her he’d come back and he was going to do that. Even if he had to vanish almost as soon as he managed it.

Distantly he could see the spot he’d left Sally at. The small bit of brush that would easily conceal a young girl.

Though that apparently hadn’t been true if a soldier had found her.

The Watcher had said they would assist Sally but until Rene saw it, he couldn’t be sure.

Almost as soon as he reached the shrubs a timer appeared off to one side. It was counting down from fifteen.

“Rene?” asked Sally, looking up from where she sat amongst the greenery. Not far away from her was a man who looked to be in his mid-twenties. A sword was belted at his waist and he was wearing a uniform that matched none of the soldiers he’d seen so far.

“No time to explain, take all this, live as best as you can,” said Rene and began scooping golden coins, rings, and other bits of jewelry out of his inventory.

It rained down and clattered around Sally, pinging off the grass, dirt, and herself.

“Rene, what are you-is this gold!?” asked Sally even as Rene continued to empty his inventory of what had been taken from the king. As quickly as he could he carved into his inventory window and dumped more and more of it.

He was inadvertently dropping other things as well but he couldn’t care.

Several pieces of equipment clattered against one another and fell to the ground as coins pelted off of bare blades and bits of armor.

The counter reached zero and the world went to a complete black void. There was nothing of anything at all.

“Heads up!” shouted the Watcher. “Dropping you into a skyrise! There’s a sniper at the top on the roof and I need you to end him. Then start shooting on other snipers in the area! They’ll start shooting soon on a target I need alive.

“Sorry about the abrupt exit, by the way, but we have no choice! I gave you all the time I could.”

“It was enough. Sally will be fine,” grumped Rene.

He couldn’t really fault the Watcher, even if he was still angry. There were other things going on that needed his and the Watcher’s attention.

At least Sally will have a good life with all that gold.

“The soldier will help her?” Rene demanded.

“Yes. He’ll raise her like a daughter,” answered the Watcher. “Here we go!”

The black void vanished and Rene found himself in what looked like the lobby of an office building.

“Uh, up we go… I guess ,” complained Rene. “Never liked dealing with snipers. Always felt like an amateur.”